Lifeboat (1944)

My Review

“Lifeboat” is a film about eight people on a lifeboat who are struggling to survive after the ship they were on was sunk by a German U-boat during World War II. The tensions escalate when they bring aboard a survivor of the German boat. This was a “limited setting” picture, the first directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and used by him later in “Rope” in 1948 and “Rear Window” and “Dial M for Murder,” both in 1954.

The ensemble cast delivers some wonderful performances, from a solid screenplay by Jo Swerling, adapted from a John Steinbeck story. They include Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix, Walter Slezak, Mary Anderson, John Hodiak, Henry Hull, Heather Angel, Hume Cronin, and Canada Lee. “Lifeboat” was successful at the box office for director Alfred Hitchcock, his only film ever for 20th Century Fox. It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Director, Best Original Story, and Best Cinematography – Black and White.

Hitch still makes one of his usual cameo appearances in “Lifeboat.” We will let you watch it for yourself to find out where!